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In our last meeting, we had a small discussion on the old Choose Your Own Adventure books (which are slowly making a comeback). These books were very popular during the 1980’s into the mid-1990s, and offered readers the ability to choose the direction in which the story would go–of course, there were limited options, but still the reader had choice. One could think of these books as the meeting of literature and games.

Interested in reading one, click the link above to purchase a new title, or click the following link to read one online: Escape from Tenopia Island

As a teenager, I posted a poem I was very pleased with on a popular website that’s viewed by a massive number of writers and readers each day (I don’t remember the name of it, only that I avoided it for a long time until I forgot about it). Distraught by the inconsiderate and tactless criticism of someone I would never meet, I quickly deleted it…

Many thanks to the participants who came out last week! In response their request, we will be switching gears and focusing on fiction and poetry for the coming weeks. So, bring your stories and your poems to share, or get ready to write some. 🙂

For today, we will be focusing on the short story, specifically looking at master mystery writer Lester Dent‘s formula for writing one. Although Dent was known for writing horror, adventure, and science fiction stories, his method of storytelling is applicable to all genres. Today, we will begin using his formula for writing a 6,000-word short story.

For the first three weeks of Write On! at Poinciana Library, we will be focusing on poetry. Today, we will discuss verse poetry, specifically the poetic forms of the haiku and the sonnet (Shakespearean and Italian). We will also try our hand at writing in these forms.

If you are unable to join us today, or are simply seeking a quick reminder about the forms to be discussed, then read on…and try your hand writing these forms at home.

The Structure of the Haiku

The most famous name in haiku was the Japanese 17th century poet Basho (born Matsuo Kinsaku). Haiku, however, was a poetic style that was already forming when Basho began his own explorations into this style of writing. In fact, he created his own poetic form, called haibun, that combined haiku and prose.

The haiku is a Japanese poetic form that consists of 3 lines with a total of 17 syllables. You may choose to rhyme or not. Some people choose to rhyme the first and third lines. The usual themes of haiku deal with nature, longing, loss, and everyday moments in life.

Notice the themes! The season is usually mentioned (Basho mentions withered fields, so likely winter; and Coiffait directly states Autumn), there is a sense of longing and/or loss, and it captures an everyday moment in time.

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The Structure of the Sonnet

Today we will look at the Shakespearean (English) and Italian forms of the sonnet. If you are interested in learning more about the history and development of the sonnet, visit The Sonnet.

The sonnet is a verse poem of 14 lines. Each line consists of 10 syllables of alternating unstressed/stressed sounds (think of your heartbeat- da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM), which is known as iambic pentameter.

A sonnet can be written about anything. Historically speaking, however, it has been used to discuss ideas on religion, nature and love (think William Shakespeare and Pablo Neruda). Below are the two structures. Note the letters represent the rhyming pattern. Also, try reading one aloud to get the sense of rhythm!

When forty winters shall besiege thy brow, (A)
And dig deep trenches in thy beauty’s field, (B)
Thy youth’s proud livery so gazed on now, (A)
Will be a totter’d weed of small worth held: (B)
Then being asked, where all thy beauty lies, (C)
Where all the treasure of thy lusty days; (D)
To say, within thine own deep sunken eyes, (C)
Were an all-eating shame, and thriftless praise. (D)
How much more praise deserv’d thy beauty’s use, (E)
If thou couldst answer ‘This fair child of mine (F)
Shall sum my count, and make my old excuse,’ (E)
Proving his beauty by succession thine! (F)
This were to be new made when thou art old, (G)
And see thy blood warm when thou feel’st it cold. (G)